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Wil Myers among the candidates to hit leadoff for Padres

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

The Padres don't have a prototypical leadoff hitter on their 40-man roster, so manager Bud Black is already trying to pare down the potential candidates he does have at his disposal, per U-T San Diego.

“Yangervis Solarte, Will Venable, Cameron Maybin and Wil Myers -- let’s start there,” Black said of the options at the top of his list.

However, of that list of players, Myers is the only one assured of playing every day. He has a career .324 on-base percentage.

The Orioles have continued dialogue with the Padres regarding trading for an outfielder, with Padres outfielders Will Venable and Seth Smith drawing the most interest from the team, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Either player would address the team's need for lefthanded hitters who fare well against righthanded pitching. While neither figures to receive significant playing time in San Diego after the Padres imported three outfielders via trade this offseason, either Smith or Venable would be expected to assume a platoon role with Baltimore at the outset of the season with the potential to earn a full-time starting position.